Keith Hill has challenged his Rochdale players to close out the season in style when they entertain Plymouth Argyle at Spotland.
The Dale had their six-game unbeaten streak broken last time out when they lost comprehensively away at Oxford United.
Plymouth sit two points above the relegation zone heading into the final game but, even though his side are safe, Hill is determined to claim three points.
“I’m disappointed about the manner in which we lost the game against Oxford and I want to put that right,” he said.
“Let’s create that memory for people to think about during the three months between now and the end of the season.
“We’ve got to be fair to the competition. It is a 46-game season and as much as I like the youth players I will be playing as strong as a team as we possibly can.
“It is a game that has got a lot standing on it for Plymouth. I have got a lot of affection for Plymouth but I want to win this football match.”
The stakes are high for Plymouth as they are one of five teams within reach of second-bottom AFC Wimbledon.
Hill played at Plymouth with current interim boss Wayne Burnett – one of his closest friends in football – but insists he will be doing his old side no favours.
Rochdale have no new injury worries but on-loan defender Wayne Thomas is expected to start after he made his debut against Oxford last week.
Meanwhile, Hill confirmed Neill Byrne, Matt Edwards, Terry Gornell, Ashley Grimes, Andy Haworth, Ritchie Jones, Kevin McIntyre and Matt Pearson will all leave the club when their contracts expire at the end of the season.
However, George Donnelly, Bobby Grant and Josh Lillis will stay at Spotland next term while Godwin Abadaki and Reece Gray are expected to have the options in their contracts activated.
Hill also said he was looking to begin negotiations with Rhys Bennett, Steve Collis, Phil Edwards, Ian Henderson, Jason Kennedy, Joe Rafferty, Michael Rose and Andrew Tutte, who are all set to become free agents.
Image courtesy of TexacoUKFC, via YouTube, with thanks
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